Tips for Niagara Falls?

[Pugrpooh]

We're going to Niagara Falls in a few weeks and doing all of the touristy things like Maid of the Mist, Journey behind the Falls, and White Water Walk. DD8 has an Olympus waterproof camera, but I'd love to take my DSLR on these attractions too. I have a weatherproof lens, but the body is not. How can I protect the camera from getting too wet?

Also, if anyone has any tips like good places to take photos (not necessarily the obvious viewpoints) and any other activities that would be good to do, please let me know! We'll be there for four nights so we'll be able to do a lot. I'm hoping for some fall weather and color too, so I hope the first week of October isn't too early for that.

TIA!

 

[mom2rtk]

I've never been, but would really love to one day. I'd probably pick up a couple of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Rainsleeve-Digital-Cameras-Lenses-Diameter/dp/B000PTFDYO/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1283691154&sr=8-1-fkmr0

I'd also make sure I have a UV protector on my lens. I think the water spray could have some minerals and such in it that could damage the glass. Then I'd keep a dry lens wipe in my pocket to dry the glass as needed.

I'd find it hard to be in the midst of such beauty and NOT have my DLSR.

If you don't have a UWA lens, I'd consider renting one. I'd love to take some UWA shots there!

 

[tinkabella627]

I don't have any tips but I did want to let you know that you will most definitely end up wet on the maid of the mist if you have a good viewing spot. I used to live 20 min from there and have been on MoM a few times and the "ponchos" they give you don't do much to keep you dry. I would think maybe the ziploc bag idea I have seen other people post for rides like splash mountain may help. Good Luck and enjoy it.

ETA: I am not saying you will get soaked or anything, just wet. If I had my pictures from last time we went on this computer I would post one for you but I am not even sure where those pictures are

 

[plyeng2ff]

I don't have any tips for the camera but for pictures any from the canadian side, platform at maid of the mist nice. I got some pictures from the helicopter ride. The ride costs 70 dollars a person and located by Days Inn on the US side. Skylon Tower is great place for pictures from up high.

From the helicopter ride

 

[Pugrpooh]

I've never been, but would really love to one day. I'd probably pick up a couple of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Rainsleeve-Digital-Cameras-Lenses-Diameter/dp/B000PTFDYO/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1283691154&sr=8-1-fkmr0

I'd also make sure I have a UV protector on my lens. I think the water spray could have some minerals and such in it that could damage the glass. Then I'd keep a dry lens wipe in my pocket to dry the glass as needed.

I'd find it hard to be in the midst of such beauty and NOT have my DLSR.

If you don't have a UWA lens, I'd consider renting one. I'd love to take some UWA shots there!

This looks exactly like what I was thinking of. But when I tried to do a search, I was just coming up with more expensive options, I think like around $100.

I don't have an UWA but I've had good results doing panoramic photos.

I don't have any tips but I did want to let you know that you will most definitely end up wet on the maid of the mist if you have a good viewing spot. I used to live 20 min from there and have been on MoM a few times and the "ponchos" they give you don't do much to keep you dry. I would think maybe the ziploc bag idea I have seen other people post for rides like splash mountain may help. Good Luck and enjoy it.

ETA: I am not saying you will get soaked or anything, just wet. If I had my pictures from last time we went on this computer I would post one for you but I am not even sure where those pictures are

I'm glad they give you ponchos. I'm thinking it might be a bit chilly then too. Will the leaves be changing up there yet the first week of October?

I don't have any tips for the camera but for pictures any from the canadian side, platform at maid of the mist nice. I got some pictures from the helicopter ride. The ride costs 70 dollars a person and located by Days Inn on the US side. Skylon Tower is great place for pictures from up high.

From the helicopter ride

The bird's eye view is really helpful. We're staying at the Hilton which is the tall building in the center left of your first picture. It looks like we'll have great views just from our room!

 

[Groucho]

I'm glad they give you ponchos. I'm thinking it might be a bit chilly then too. Will the leaves be changing up there yet the first week of October?

Maybe a little bit. I live a little over an hour from the Falls and we've just started to get leaves falling off the trees, but the colors haven't changed much yet.

Actually, I just checked some photos from Letchworth State Park last year on 10/11 and the leaves were starting to change nicely...

I don't have any Falls tips; the last time I went there was before my first DSLR and I don't remember doing much in the way of picture-taking at all. As others have said, you do get wet and expect to be in a very steady mist of water for a while - I would not recommend using anything but a waterproof PnS, completely sealed DSLR setup (camera and lens - the minimal "dust seals" on some of the cheaper C/N models might not cut it), or a sealed enclosure like a ziploc. It's also fairly slippery so you'll want to make sure that you trust your strap well, and hopefully the camera won't be bouncing around too much.

 

[tinkabella627]

Don't get too excited about the ponchos... they are the cheapy ones that stick to you... but they do work. It will be chilly but nothing that a sweatshirt and jeans won't take care of... it is colder by the falls obviously. Hopefully it isnt too cold then bc my best friend is getting married oct 15th and I don't want to freeze lol